PALACE AMUSEMENTS was a historical indoor, Open-Year-Round amusement park in Asbury Park, New Jersey. It was built in 1888 and expanded several times over its history. With Asbury Park falling on hard times, starting in the 1970s, and peaking in the early-to-mid 1980s, the town's "resort feel," as a destination location, simply was no longer there. At that point, Asbury Park was losing the sizzle it once had. Plus, Asbury Park simply did NOT have the fun, "down the shore" beach-town, family-oriented appeal that it did for so many years. With that, fewer and fewer people, other than "locals," and those living relatively near-by, frequented Asbury Park. And, with fewer visitors came less revenue for Asbury Park's Hotels, Restaurants & Bars, Events at the Convention Center, Boardwalk Businesses and, certainly, PALACE AMUSEMENTS. Add in the economic difficulties of the late 1970s/early 1980s and Asbury Park truly took a hard, and direct, hit. A hit like no Hurricane or Nor'Easter could ever affect. As a result, The Palace went out of business in 1988. Several efforts were made to save the structure, including its hand-carved carousel, murals and decorations. But, in 2004, after an independent structural inspection, the building was deemed unsafe (it had already been damaged in several areas) and was ordered demolished. A local grassroots organization was able to save several pieces from the building, including the famed Tillie mural. (en)
Palace Amusements est un ancien parc d'attractions couvert situé à Asbury Park, dans le New Jersey aux États-Unis. (fr)
Palace Amusements est un ancien parc d'attractions couvert situé à Asbury Park, dans le New Jersey aux États-Unis. (fr)
PALACE AMUSEMENTS was a historical indoor, Open-Year-Round amusement park in Asbury Park, New Jersey. It was built in 1888 and expanded several times over its history. With Asbury Park falling on hard times, starting in the 1970s, and peaking in the early-to-mid 1980s, the town's "resort feel," as a destination location, simply was no longer there. At that point, Asbury Park was losing the sizzle it once had. Plus, Asbury Park simply did NOT have the fun, "down the shore" beach-town, family-oriented appeal that it did for so many years. (en)